Sermon snippet – Forgiven
INTRODUCTION – Last Sunday, someone mentioned Ken Fernald, a much loved local Gospel singer who is now with the Lord. Our little church was instrumental in providing the funds he needed for equipment when he was just starting out. I thought of some of his songs, including “Forgiven,” which includes the clincher line, “Lord, let me be forgiven.” Colossians 2:13-15 is a startling passage that assures us of God’s forgiveness through faith in God the Son, Jesus Christ.
- WE ARE FOGIVEN
Verse 13 makes the absolute statement, “Having forgiven you all trespasses.” This full forgiveness is revelatory of the character of God, Who completes everything that He starts. In fact, this thorough forgiveness is the very reason for the Cross. I John 1:9 provides the promise of God: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We are forgiven.
- WE ARE CERTAINLY FORGIVEN
Verse 14 employs unusual and powerful imagery. Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to the Cross: that is history. Mankind’s sin nailed Jesus to the Cross: that is theology. Jesus nailed the entire list of our sins “to His Cross”: that is certainty. Think of the worst sins that you have committed – no, no, don’t shout them out all at once! Where are they? They are nailed to the Cross, secured there by Jesus Himself. They are no longer legible, for they are blotted out by the covering blood of Jesus our Savior. We are forgiven; we are certainly forgiven.
- WE AR CERTAINLY AND ETERNALLY FORGIVEN
In verse 13, we are told that we were “dead” in our sins; that sounds fatally final. However, we are then assured that we have been “quickened [made alive] with Him.” Jesus’ Crucifixion became Resurrection; His death became life. Verse 15 is not something that a dead man can do. Jesus is alive, and He has given us life “with Him.” Just as His life is everlasting, so must ours be. To live with Him eternally, we must be forgiven eternally – and we are.
CONCLUSION – We are forgiven; we are certainly forgiven; we are certainly and eternally forgiven. May we all be sure that our faith is in Jesus Christ, and may we be blessed now by this certain and eternal forgiveness.